Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star facts for kids

Quick facts for kids P-80 / F-80 Shooting Star
P-80A
Role	Jet fighter
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Lockheed Corporation
Designer	Clarence "Kelly" Johnson
First flight	8 January 1944
Introduction	1945
Status	Retired
Primary users	United States Air Force United States Navy
Number built	1,715
Unit cost	US$110,000 in 1945
Variants	Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star
Developed into	Lockheed F-94 Starfire

The Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star was a very important American jet fighter plane. It was one of the first successful jet fighters built by the United States. This plane was used in the last parts of World War II and played a big role in the Korean War. In 1948, its name changed to F-80 Shooting Star.

The United States Air Force was the main user of the P-80. Other countries like Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Uruguay also flew this aircraft.

The P-80 was also the starting point for other famous planes. These include the T-33 T-Bird, which was a popular training aircraft, and the F-94 Starfire fighter jet.

The First American Jet Fighter

The P-80 Shooting Star was a groundbreaking aircraft. It was the first jet fighter to be used by the United States Air Force. This was a big step forward in aviation technology.

It first flew on January 8, 1944. This was during World War II, a time when many countries were developing new weapons. The P-80 showed the world that America could build powerful jet planes.

P-80 in World War II

Even though it was ready late in the war, the P-80 did not see much combat in World War II. A few P-80s flew over Germany in the final weeks of the war. These flights were mostly for showing off the new technology.

The war ended before the P-80 could be used widely. However, its presence showed the future of air combat.

The Korean War and the F-80

The P-80 became very important during the Korean War, which started in 1950. By this time, its name had changed to F-80. It was one of the main fighter jets used by the United States.

F-80s were used for many missions. They flew combat patrols, attacked ground targets, and even fought against other jet planes. It was in Korea that the F-80 proved its worth in real battles.

From P-80 to F-80: A Name Change

In 1948, the United States Air Force changed how they named their planes. The "P" in P-80 stood for "Pursuit" aircraft. This was an older term for fighter planes.

The new system used "F" for "Fighter." So, the P-80 Shooting Star became the F-80 Shooting Star. This change reflected its role as a modern fighter jet.

Other Countries Flying the Shooting Star

While the US Air Force was the main user, other countries also flew the F-80. Countries in South America, like Brazil and Chile, used them. These planes helped modernize their air forces.

The F-80 served for many years in these countries. It was a reliable and effective aircraft.

The Shooting Star's Legacy

The P-80/F-80 was more than just a fighter plane. It was the starting point for other famous aircraft. One of these was the T-33 T-Bird.

The T-33 was a two-seat version of the F-80. It became one of the most widely used jet trainers in the world. Many pilots learned to fly jets in a T-33.

Another plane developed from the F-80 was the F-94 Starfire. This was an all-weather interceptor. It could fly in bad weather and at night to stop enemy planes.

Images for kids

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  The original XP-80 prototype Lulu-Belle

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  XP-80A Gray Ghost in flight

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  Operational P-80Bs at Langley AFB

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  TO-1 Shooting Star of VMF-311

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  F-80Cs of the 8th Fighter-Bomber Group in Korea, 1950

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  EF-80 prone pilot test aircraft

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  F-14A/FP-80A reconnaissance aircraft

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  F-80A test aircraft (s/n 44-85044) with twin 0.5 in (12.7 mm) machine guns in oblique mount, similar to World War II German Schräge Musik, to study the ability to attack Soviet bombers from below

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  F-80 with Schräge Musik configuration at full elevation

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  A Peruvian F-80C preserved in a Lima park

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  Lockheed XP-80 "Lulu-Belle" at the National Air and Space Museum, Washington, D.C.

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  P-80A on display at the Air Zoo

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  USAF P-80A of the first production series, bearing a buzz number

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  F-80C Shooting Star

See also

In Spanish: Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star para niños